Norwegian May Be Second U.S. Cruise Line to Sail to Cuba

As relations between Cuba and the United States continue to thaw, more and more Americans are expressing an interest in visiting the island nation. Last month, six domestic airlines scored permission to launch commercial flights between the two countries, and American Airlines plans to be first out of the gate with flights between Miami and the Cuban cities of Cienfuegos and Holguín launching in September. But travelers who hope to visit Cuba by sea currently have just one option—the Adonia, a small cruise ship on new social justice-oriented Carnival sub-brand Fathom, which launched weeklong sailings from Miami to three Cuban ports in May.

Now, it looks like Fathom may face some competition. Norwegian Cruise Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio told reporters on board a new Norwegian ship, "I'm literally waiting for the phone to ring to get the final, final approval from the Cuban government," to begin sailings to Cuba. Those sailings would begin on the Oceania ship Regatta, which holds 684 passengers. (The Adonia holds about 700; both are small by cruising standards.) Norwegian purchased the Oceania brand in 2014.

According to USA Today, the Regatta itineraries could start by the end of 2016, while the Oceania Marina (which holds 1,250 people) is also awaiting approval to begin sailings in early 2017. Del Rio said that Norwegian is planning multiple Cuba-centric itineraries, including some that exclusively sail around the island and others that stop in Havana as one of multiple Caribbean ports.

For Norwegian, the new itineraries have a personal meaning. Del Rio was born in Cuba, but his family fled to the United States in the 1960s. Thanks to a policy change enacted shortly before the Adonia's inaugural sailing, Cuban-born individuals are no longer barred from returning to the country by sea.

Norwegian has not yet responded to Condé Nast Traveler's request for comment.